PASTURE AND FODDER PLAXTS 585 



many kept a herd of cattle on the estate mainly for the sake of 

 manure, as is still done on in my coftee estates in South India. Good 

 pasture land, too, may often bring in an appreciable return in 

 grazing fees. Further, the average butcher's meat in the tropics 

 is capable of much improvement by more attention being given 

 to fattening cattle a matter which at present receives but little 

 consideration. 



Formation of Pastures. Low-lying Hats or ravines, where 

 the soil is of a moist sandy or alluvial nature, usually constitutes 

 the best land for pasture purposes or for growing fodder grasses. 

 The soil should be well-tilled by trenching or ploughing to a 

 depth of 15 in. or more, removing the roughest stones, roots or other 

 obstacles, and leaving a tolerably smooth surface. The latter 

 should be gone over with a roller, so as to break the clods and 

 secure a firm and even surface A certain amount of shade is 

 beneficial, both for the growth ot the grass and for affording 

 shelter to cattle from the sun. Therefore, existing trees should 

 be left at suitable distances apart or, where these are wanting, 

 good shade trees should be planted. Pastures may be formed by 

 sowing seed or by planting roots or cuttings of suitable grasses at 

 a few inches apart. When the former method is adopted, a good 

 seed mixture, including a proportion of herbaceous leguminous or 

 clover-like plants, should be procured, the seed being sown broad- 

 cast and afterwards raked or harrowed into the soil. A suitable 

 mixture has the effect of keeping down weeds in addition to 

 furnishing the best pasturage. Most perennial grasses are easily 

 propagated by division of the roots, which, if planted out in wet 

 weather at distances of 6 to 8 inches apart, should cover the 

 ground in a short space of time. 



Upkeep of Pastures. For the subsequent maintenance of the 

 pasturage, care must be taken to keep down coarse weeds or 

 woody growths which are liable to appear. An occasional surface 

 dressing with a fertilizer is most beneficial and well repays the 

 cost and trouble. Irrigation above all things, especially in dry 

 seasons, may be said to be the secret of success in the upkeep 

 of green pastures. In Australia, America, South Africa, etc., 

 irrigation not only increases the yield, but also improves greatly 

 the feeding qualities of pasture or fodder. 



Pasture among Tree Products. The growing of pastures bet- 

 ween certain perennial or tree crops, as on coconut plantations, is 

 sometimes practicable, and at the same time beneficial to the main 



